CPI to quit SPF; non-Cong parties to cement bond
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, February 28 2012: Communist Party of India (CPI), Manipur State Council, which is a partner in the Congress -led Secular Progressive Front (SPF) Government for the last two terms, is likely to announce its decision of parting way by tomorrow.

On the other hand, there is every likelihood of the 10 non-Congress parties, which have been holding frequent joint meetings and working together on some common issues in the post-poll scenario, to form a common forum very soon.

According to a reliable source, even though SPF government has completed two terms (10 years) in power, the period has witnessed many unwanted incidents.

In addition to frequent incidents of violence and killing, the period witnessed the longest economic blockade along the two National Highways passing through the state, unprecedented price rise, fake encounters, etc.

Taking into consideration of all these factors, CPI has taken the stand of parting way with Congress party from the coalition SPF government.

By virtue of being the single largest party in the election to the 8th Manipur Legislative Assembly, the Governor invited the Congress party for the formation of government.

In order claim the support of majority, the Congress approached CPI for support and accordingly, the two political parties joined hands and formed the SPF government under a mutually agreed common minimum programme.

The partnership between the Congress and the CPI continued after the election to the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly held in 2007 in which Congress also emerged the single largest party with 30 seats going in its favour.

In the true spirit of partnership, the two parties remain faithful to each other so much so as that when the then MLA of Khundrakpam A/C Thokchom Nabakumar, who was elected on NCP ticket passed away, his son Thokchom Lokeshore was made to contest in the by-election on the ticket of Indian National Congress and the two parties ensure his success in the election.

With the election of Lokeshore, the number of Congress MLAs in the 60-member state Assembly rose to 31.But from that moment, the Congress MLAs and Ministers started showing an air of pomposity and negligence toward CPI.

Such attitude of the Congress party had not only caused widespread resentment among the CPI workers, even Dr Nara, who was the Convenor of SPF resigned from the post.

After the recent election to the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly, which was conducted on January 28 last, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh had on numerous occasions conveyed his aspiration for continued partnership between the Congress and CPI in the SPF.

But the discontentment of the CPI leaders towards the Congress is so strong that they decided to withdraw support from the SPF government, the source maintained.

On the other hand, in the run up to the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly election, five political parties of the Opposition namely Manipur People's Party (MPP), state unit Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), CPI (M), JD (U) and RJD entered into a pre-poll alliance under the name of People's Democratic front (PDF) with the sole objecting of defeating the Congress party.

Though not a part of the Opposition alliance, BJP too had fought in the election crying for the blood of Congress.

However, after the election numerous complaints over alleged malpractices during polling flooded the State Election Office from various political parties and candidates.

Consequently, the Election Commission of India (ECI) ordered re-poll in 34 polling stations.

Furthermore, following numerous complaints over alleged proxy voting, detection of discrepancies during photo comparison of the electorates and alleged misuse of postal ballots, 10 non-Congress parties come together and exerting pressure on the ECI for resolution of these conflicting issues before going ahead with counting of the votes on March 6 .

After a joint meeting held at Hotel Imphal on February 18, the 10 non-Congress parties forwarded a representation to the ECI in this regard.

Over the same issue, leaders of the 10 non-Congress parties yesterday met Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi, who hinted at the possibility of conducting re-poll in some polling stations and gave instructions to the Chief Electoral Officer of Manipur for taking up necessary measures.

With many discrepancies detected in the conduct of poll/re-poll this time, the Opposition parties have become suspicious over the possibility of Congress indulging in similar malpractices in all the elections conducted in the past.

This has also made the Opposition parties to take a resolute stand over bringing about a political change in the state and install a non-Congress government, the source said.

The leaders of 10 non-Congress parties who are presently camping at Delhi have conducted several rounds of meeting with the Central leaders of NCP, BJP, CPI, CPI (M), JD (U), etc in this regard.

A joint meeting of the 10 non-Congress parties has also been convened on March 1 next to discuss formation of a joint body, the source disclosed, adding that necessary arrangements have been made for the said meeting.

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